It was a cold and rainy week here in upstate New York, but I admit, I love this weather. Out come the sweaters, fuzzy socks and hopefully, a fire in the fireplace very soon. 

This week, I started something that might surprise you: my holiday notebook! Yes, I have a holiday notebook and I officially launched it this week. 

And…I learned SO MUCH about amino acids, why they are critical to our health and how apparently, I do not have as many as I need in my body at the moment. =)

And as always, I’ve got links you’ll love from around the Internet, too.

What I'm Reading:

The two books I read this week were on opposite ends of the reading spectrum: one was a light-hearted nonfiction selection and the other was a deep, literary family saga spanning generations. I loved both of them. 

The Latecomer by Jean Hanff Korelitz

This powerful family saga takes the reader on a long ride. Starting from the very beginning with Salo and Johanna, readers learn about the opulent Oppenheimer family, a family who looks one way, but operates another. Finally blessed with triplets after years of infertility, Johanna does everything she can to grow her family with laughter and love, but that doesn’t stop each member of the family from pulling apart and pulling away. Faced with the unthinkable, Johanna has a fourth child, a child that will play an integral role in the coming together of this fractured family. This book is a slow burn and gives us an uncanny glimpse into the hearts and minds of each character, not to mention big ideas about how the world works and how families can heal.

The Art of Flaneuring by Erika Owen

This book is a handbook of sorts…a handbook for wandering through life with intention, starting with a simple walk. Owen is a travel writer who brings her spirit and her incredibly relatable (and funny!) voice to each page. You’ll learn how to slow down, look around and pay attention to what’s around you. It’s small, has lots of white space and a blue font, something I paid attention to immediately. Want to add more presence to your life? Start here. 

What I'm Writing:

Would you believe me if I said I’ve been notebooking about the upcoming holidays? 

I HAVE!

I started my annual notebook of holiday ideas: foods to make, desserts to try, gifts to purchase, crafts to make, experiences to have and more. 

And yes…this is yet another notebook I’ve added to my stack. It’s small, decorated in holiday covers and fits into my purse for when inspiration strikes. 

Tell me: what other holiday lists do I need to add to my holiday notebook?

What I'm Learning:

Let me admit something: I had no idea that amino acids are the building blocks of protein. I also had no idea that I was not getting nearly enough of them. And I REALLY didn’t know how that mattered to good health and wellness. 

But I do now.

I went on a deep dive into this aspect of nutrition and I think it is something EVERY woman needs to know about whether they feel good every day or not. 

I explored the nine essential amino acids and the twenty amino acids important for our bodies to function properly. I learned about how to design my meal plans to better include these important building blocks and then explored the supplements that could support my nutrition, too. 

I had so many aha moments this week on why I feel the way I do, but would never have known unless I kept pushing and asking and demanding for support.

The lesson? Stand up for yourself to your doctor and eat more protein. =)

What I'm Loving:

There you have it! I hope this inspires you to make space for more reading and writing in your own life. What are the highlights from your literate life this week?

One of my favorite things about the upcoming holiday season is our family advent calendar. I love creating it and watching them open each miniature gift. But this advent calendar looks pretty good, too….it’s a wine advent calendar. =)

I found a new book basket I love. You can never have too many, right?!

This is completely unrelated to anything, but I love all things Jennifer Garner and this short video showing her crushing box jumps was the inspiration I needed to get back on the Pilates mat. =)